I am currently 25 years old and I have been in remand for over nine months on drug trafficking charges. When I was first arrested, I was very confused. I didn’t know anything about drugs, and I had no idea about the trial process or sentencing details. Learning that I might be sentenced to over twenty years imprisonment for the 1.8 kg of drugs found in the package I picked up left me feeling hopeless.
I grew up in a lower-middle-class family with one older brother. My father worked as a chef, while my mother stayed home to take care of the household. My parents would often argue due to financial issues, and they constantly instilled in us the belief that “money is extremely important, without it we cannot survive.” This made me eager to earn money and alleviate the financial burden on my family. My family was also relatively introverted, and we did not communicate much about personal matters, which led me to develop a more independent personality.
After graduating from secondary school, I pursued a career in the construction industry, focusing on carpentry and electrical work. The income was reasonable, and I met many hardworking colleagues who shared the same goal of earning money. However, a few years later, a friend introduced me to a retail and wholesale business venture that required investment. As a result, my debts began to accumulate. The business eventually failed, and my income decreased significantly, causing me immense stress. Even taking on a part-time job did not help, so I decided to return to the construction industry.
During this period, a former colleague invited me to make quick money, and I was deceived into participating in drug trafficking activities, believing the promise of easy money could help me repay my debts. I did not think through the consequences and ended up harming my future.
My criminal record will stay with me for a lifetime. But I understand that this is my punishment. I hope my story can influence someone’s mind in a positive way.
At the time, I was fortunate enough to believe that I had completed the drug transaction successfully. After realizing it was an illegal substance, I wanted to back out, but they threatened my family’s and my safety, saying I could not withdraw. I was then instructed to conduct the exchange. They did not provide me with detailed information about the type of drugs involved, and I did not know about drugs, unable to distinguish between solid, powder, or liquid forms. When I received the package, I was immediately arrested and charged with drug trafficking.
Later, the customs authorities opened the package and found it contained two bottles of liquid heroin and a small amount of solid heroin. It turned out the drugs had been shipped from overseas, and an accomplice had already been arrested while collecting the package from the post office before passing it on to me. In this incident, I did not receive any money, yet I was informed that the starting sentence could be 21-23 years in prison. I felt extremely remorseful, not only for harming others but also for wasting a significant portion of my life in custody. I did not know how to face my family and friends.
During the initial remand period, my emotions were unstable, and my family was greatly concerned about my life in the correctional facility. With the encouragement of my family and the guidance of priests and pastors, I realized I could not continue to be despondent. I needed to sincerely repent for my wrongdoing and strive to improve myself, hoping to reintegrate into the community upon my release.
I hope my experience can serve as a reminder for others to steer clear of drugs and not naively believe friends who involve them in drug trafficking activities. I do not want others to have their futures ruined by drugs. If you ever face any problems, please discuss them with your supportive family and choose the right path, planning for your future. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. We must work hard and learn from our mistakes.
Since being incarcerated, I have been identified by a number and must follow strict rules, I’ve lost my freedom. At first, I lived in a cell alone without anyone to talk to. I felt overwhelmed and constantly blamed myself for the mistakes I’d made. After reflecting on my actions, I realized I could only move forward and start over. I don’t want to disappoint my family anymore. They visit me every week, bringing me daily necessities and reminding me not to make such mistakes again.
I have wasted a lot of time in life due to what I’ve done, and I have caused many people to suffer and worry about me. My criminal record will stay with me for a lifetime. But I understand that this is my punishment. I hope my story can positively influence someone’s mind. I did not succumb to drug addiction, and I did not let drugs affect my health. However, drugs have caused me to lose a lot of things including money, my career, and my future. Therefore, I despise drugs, and I don’t want anyone to get lost because of them.
Looking back, I have a hard time accepting my situation. But I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends, so I won’t give up. I am enrolling in distance courses for self-improvement and have decided to apply for jobs to learn new skills.
This experience has taught me not to trust ‘friends’ easily. And most importantly, I know that family is forever my strongest support. I deeply regret the decision I made and hope to help others in the future with my experience.
Note: This letter has been translated and edited from its original in Chinese. Switch language to read the original letter.